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The "Caterpillar Vintage Series" scale models pay a homage to the rich history from the earliest Caterpillar Earthmoving equipment. The series contains the Caterpillar 966A Wheel Loader, Caterpillar D7C Dozer and Caterpillar 977D Track loader.
Great display packaging and loads of details, like the original Caterpillar operator umbrella, adding extra value for money! This is a must have for every Caterpillar collector.
Caterpillar No.12 Motor Grader
During the height of the Great Depression Caterpillar continued developing cutting-edge new products. In July 1938, their road machinery division launched a new machine called the Caterpillar Diesel No.12 Auto Patrol – part of the product line known today as motor graders. The Diesel No.12 went on to be the most recognized, longest running machine on the Caterpillar Motor Grader product line.
In 1938 the Caterpillar Diesel No.12 Motor Grader was successfully demonstrated to an enthusiastic group of Caterpillar dealers in Peoria, Illinois. Its design was unique and is the origin of the modern motor graders we see today. But in addition to being stylish, the Caterpillar No.12 Motor Grader was also a heavy-duty, self-propelled road grader designed for efficient and economical road building and maintenance work.
The Caterpillar No.12 Motor Grader had a range of useful blade positions, surpassing all competitors of its time. In addition to high and low bank-cutting positions, the blade could be turned completely around, facing backwards, which meant an operator could continue to do work while driving in reverse. This feature was valuable for subgrade work, shaping bad spots, working short stretches, or where turning was difficult.
With the blade now mounted in the center position on the blade beams, the new Auto Patrol also permitted a correct ditching position on either side, with the toe of the 12-foot blade directly behind the front ditch wheel and ample clearance to prevent clogging.
Its six-cylinder Caterpillar diesel engine delivered 66 brake horsepower and was mounted over the driving axle to best utilize its weight in preventing wheel slippage. A gasoline starting engine ensured easy starting regardless of atmospheric temperatures.
The transmission offered six forward speeds and two in reverse. A low speed provided both maximum pull for the heaviest jobs and more precision for fine grading. Second speed permitted faster operation for most ditching and other heavy work. The higher gears provided an ample speed range for a mix of road work, snow removal and travel.
The Caterpillar Diesel No. 12 Auto Patrol was even equipped with two-speed powered mechanical blade controls. A simple shift of a lever gave the operator faster control for the longer blade movements required by coarse work. For close finishing work, a slower control setup provided extreme accuracy in blade settings.
Major Projects
In its first year alone the Caterpillar No. 12 worked on many well-known and important projects around the world:
- Shasta Dam in Northern California
- Los Angeles Aqueduct in California
- Altamont Pass Road in California
- All American Canal in California
- Valecito Dam in Colorado
- Buzzard's Roost Dam in Georgia
- Tionesta Dam in Pennsylvania
- Skyline Highway in Virginia and the Carolinas
- New York Aqueduct
- Three large reservoirs in England
- Haifa-Bagdad Highway in the Middle East
The DNA of the Caterpillar No.12 Motor Grader is still on the product line today, where it is known as the Caterpillar 12 series. With over 90 years of service, it is the longest-running production model in the Caterpillar Motor Grader product line.
Caterpillar No.12 Motor Grader Specs(PDF)
